Argues that education's current "deficiency" philosophy supports a negative view of the cultures of people of color, negatively affecting educational policies and the direction of research. Advocates the "vindicationist philosophy," which considers Blacks equally capable of academic achievement. Specifically recommends how to…

Traces the elusive search for a social studies definition since 1916. Explains debate over social studies as social science or as selective use of knowledge to promote citizenship. Attributes social studies' indeterminate focus to its objective of reflecting social reality. Suggests definition should recognize social studies as a field of applied…

Presents a discussion by journalists, scientists, and writers on educational problems in the Soviet Union. Focuses on the the role of the pedagogical press in restructuring public education in light of perestroika. Calls for press involvement in defining and developing public education. Lists questions for consideration and invites responses. (NL)

The attitudes of 16 exemplary African-American teachers (12 females and 4 males) on racial issues and the ways in which racism has shaped their teaching practice are explored. It is argued that these teachers understand the structural constraints of race better than they understand those of gender or class. (SLD)

Describes an Africentric model for training psychologists who deliver Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) education, prevention, and services within the African-American community. Principles of the NTU philosophy (a Bantu concept) and Nguzo Saba were used in training 75 African-American psychologists to deliver prevention services. (SLD)

Contends that the division between the science and humanities inhibit the use of qualitative research in Australian college-level geography instruction. Argues that qualitative methods might be more acceptable in cultural and historical geography. Suggests that philosophy courses or foundations courses in the humanities and social sciences might…

Five texts by Brian L. Fife (1992), Chester E. Finn and Theodor Rebarber (1992), John Godar (1990), Nathan Rutstein (1992), and Yael Sharan and Shlomo Sharan (1992) on cultural diversity and education reform emphasize the importance of cooperation, administrative decentralization, the need for critical thinking, values that provide common ground,…

Describes the philosophy and operation of the Danish Tvind Schools, private schools supported in part by public funds. Explains how the curriculum involves student travel, participation in curriculum decision making, and school management. Reviews the implicit criticisms of traditional schooling that the experiences of the Tvind Schools…

A statewide survey of 64 public school teachers of deaf students found that, consistent with earlier research, teachers had inadequate knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) and the role that the deaf community plays in the education of deaf children. Recommendations for preservice/inservice teacher training in ASL and current issues, such as…

The primary focus of this participant-centered workshop was to introduce the student-centered classroom. Describes the model for the conference and issues addressed which include process as the missing element in the curriculum; peer-led learning teams; integrating chemistry, mathematics, and physics; writing as a learning tool in chemistry;…

Students from the Free School in Albany, New York, arranged and financed a road trip to the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools conference in Pennsylvania. In exchange for a portion of travel expenses, they visited a struggling new charter school in Florida and demonstrated their democratic decision-making process. (TD)

Explores J. Glenn Gray's neglected philosophy of education as a meaningful framework for grounding the practices of teachers. Addresses tensions between individuality and community, argues for a vision that honors wholeness and synthesis, contends love of beauty as an integral part of education, and embraces plurality and public action as one of…

Examines whether the use of computers has changed the context of teachers' work in such a way that the goals of constructionism and independent learning are more attainable. Focuses on a private school in Australia where the relationships among goals, structures, and resources were integrated in support of independent learning. (MJP)

Two chapters of a serialized book develop the idea that attention-deficit disorder is created by the conventional school's rigid enforcement of a spirit-deadening "order" that suppresses children's natural behaviors. Anecdotes from Albany's Free School describe incidents in which two very active and intelligent boys developed some…

The changing emphasis in teacher education from a theoretical perspective to a practical, performance-based perspective has forced teacher educators to revise and rethink their instructional techniques and styles. The Hearing Impairment Teacher Training Program at Eastern Kentucky University is currently being restructured in response to the new…